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Why the Herd’s Hutchinson could be Toronto-bound

Drew Hutchison continued to make a case on Saturday for a recall by the Toronto Blue Jays.

The Buffalo Bisons’ 25-year-old right-hander from Lakeland, Fla., pitched six shutout innings as the Herd took a 3-1 victory over the Lehigh Valley IronPigs in the first game of a day-night doubleheader before 7,845 at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown, Pa. The IronPigs came back with a 16-hit attack to win the night game, 10-4.

Hutchison allowed four hits – a triple and three singles – in his stint, lowering his earned-run average to 2.87, which is seventh in the International League. He struck out his season-high 10 batters, including former big leaguer Darin Ruf to end the first inning after Nick Williams tripled with two outs. The IronPigs were able to advance only one other runner to scoring position against Hutchison.

Herd’s Big Fourth: Buffalo took the lead in the day game with two runs in the fourth when Domonic Brown led off with a double and came home on a single by Jesus Montero, the Bisons’ leader in batting average (.297), hits (73), doubles (15), home runs (7) and RBIs (36). After the Bisons filled the bases on a walk and hit-batter, Montero scored on Junior Lake’s fielder’s choice.

Domingo Insurance: Matt Dominguez hit a solo home to left-center to make it 3-0 in the eighth.

Ambidexterity: Pat Venditte, who pitches both right-handed and left-handed, relieved Hutchison to start the seventh. Pitching left-handed Venditte pitched a scoreless seventh. In the eighth, he walked two, pitching right-handed and left-handed he gave up a single while getting a fly-ball out and strikeout before Ryan Tepera took over.

Tepera saves: The right-hander now has converted his last nine save opportunities, getting the final four outs. However, a leadoff walk, a long foul ball out and a single by Taylor Featherston spoiled the shutout.

Roughed up Diamond: Back in the rotation after a one-game stint with Toronto, Bisons left-hander Scott Diamond had his worst start of the season. He struck out a season-high seven, but gave up a season-highs in hits (14) and earned runs (8) as his record fell to 4-7.

Keeping it in the park: The IronPigs lead the I.L. with 62 home runs but hit none in Saturday’s twin bill.

All even: The IronPigs and Bisons have played all five games of their season series in Allentown so far. They have seven games in Buffalo the rest of the summer.

Next up: The Bisons and IronPigs close the series with a 1:35 p.m. game Sunday (Radio 1520 AM) with IL ERA leader Wade LeBlanc (7-2, 1.51) scheduled to oppose right-hander David Buchanan (3-4, 4.91). Then the Herd heads home to start a four-game series with the Louisville Bats on Monday night.